Greening New Jersey, one tree at a time.
What tree has gorgeous spring flowers, tasty summer berries, is native to the East Coast, AND can be planted under utility wires? Look no further than the Amelanchier, or serviceberry tree! Serviceberries are a wonderful addition to any street tree plan and are a favorite to plant among NJTF staff.
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When we think of planting for pollinators, butterfly gardens filled with blooming shrubs and flowers come to mind. If we think of trees at all, it’s typically smaller ornamental species such as dogwoods and serviceberries. However, larger shade trees can play an important role as well, providing food for pollinators along with increased environmental benefits such as stormwater and pollution absorption. Linden trees thrive in New Jersey, and are a great option as a pollinator-friendly shade tree. Learn more about Lindens here!
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The pandemic forced us to slow down. Here is a pictorial guide to blooming trees in our Grove of Remembrance, from March until June. It’s a tour of successional spring pollination. This is not a complete guide of flowering trees, but simply what we saw and photographed in the Grove.
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You will find the Emancipation Oak at the entrance of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Fitting, since under the tree’s vast shade, Mrs. Mary Peake, a freed slave, taught lessons to newly freed men and women. Most significant, the first southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation happened here, under the Emancipation Oak in 1863. With a trunk that is 16 feet around and a 100-foot wide canopy, the Emancipation Oak is a great place to learn our history while staying socially distanced.
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If you don’t know who Hattie Carthan is yet, you should! As we celebrate Juneteenth, it’s important to remember the role that Black Americans have had in shaping environmentalism. Hattie Carthan, known as the ‘Tree Lady of Brooklyn’, lived in the New York City neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant since the 1920’s. In the 1960’s she realized that her neighborhood had completely deteriorated and lost its trees, thanks to the blockbusting and redlining practices that took place in Bed-Stuy. A lifelong lover of trees, Hattie decided she was going to do something about it.
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Ever notice tiny web tents throughout your street trees in the late spring and summer? Those are called webworm, and they are a common problem for street trees in New Jersey. There are two types of webworm: a spring variety, which is called eastern tent caterpillar, and fall webworm. These worms can defoliate your trees and look very unsightly. For the most part, webworm will not kill your tree outright, but it will eat up a good portion of the tree’s leaves. In extreme cases or on very young trees affected by webworm, the tree can die, so proper diligence and removal will help to reduce the burden of webworm on your street trees.
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Spring is here, and your trees are finally leafing out for the year – but wait, what are those blotches on the leaves? Why are some of the leaves becoming distorted and curled, and even falling from the tree? Leaves aren’t supposed to drop until the fall! When people see their tree exhibiting these symptoms, it’s naturally a cause for concern, leaving tree owners worrying that their tree may be severely diseased or dying. One of the most common reasons for mottled or falling leaves is anthracnose, a fungal disease. While the symptoms seem bad, anthracnose is actually not as dangerous as one would think! Read on to find out more about this common shade tree affliction.
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Have you noticed scorched leaves, twigs and branches on your crabapple? Or a strange curl at the branch tips? It could be Fire blight a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora. Fire blight can affect some of our favorite street & fruit trees – apple, pear, crabapple, quince, serviceberry and hawthorn.
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Maples are an extremely common tree throughout New Jersey, on streets and in parks and forests. There are seven different species of maples native to the state, so you have plenty of options if you are looking to add a native maple tree to your yard. When selecting a maple, however, be careful! There’s one species that’s not only non-native, but is invasive! Norway Maples are hardy and have been frequently planted as street trees throughout the state, but they have a tendency to spread easily and crowd out other plants. Read on to find out everything wrong with Norway Maples, and how they came to New Jersey in the first place!
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During this unprecedented time, having a safe and reliable way to get out and about is more important than ever before. Walking has been proven to not only be a great way to exercise, but helps to clear the mind, manage emotions, and stay energized. Having a safe, reliable network of trails in a neighborhood can make a difference for the mental and physical well being of city residents. Luckily, in South Jersey and Philadelphia, the Circuit Trail network provides this need to the greater community.
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